Welcome to Michael's Article Collection

Introducing Children To Music… Strategies For Success

I’ve heard a million parents lament the fact that they didn’t get their children interested in music sooner. There are also hundreds of adults out there that wish they had learned how to play an instrument when they were younger. Studies actually support the idea that music stimulates certain brain connections and can actually help children grow smarter!Music also provides an invaluable outlet . . .

Mom Starts Home Business Teaching Parents To Sign to Thei...

You've just had this beautiful baby. And then it happens…they cry, they fuss and you have no idea what it is they want. What's worse is that for the next 13 to 15 months you're going to have little clue why this new beautiful bundle of joy is upset. But do you really have to wait that long?“Research has shown that while babies may lack the fine motor skills to speak, they do have t. . .

Parenting Styles - Overcoming Your Differences

If you spend any time in the parenting section of the library or your local bookstore, you will find hundreds of books on disciplining and raising your children. All the leading experts have their own ideas about what works and what doesn't. As a parent, you have your philosophy that you bring to the table. Most of your thoughts come from what you learned as a child. You either liked the w. . .

Teething Without Biting Your Nails

For some babies, teething is a simple affair, with few noticeable side effects. For others, it takes months of pain and anguish to get those first teeth to pop in. Here is some information to help you get through the teething stage, without spending too much time biting your nails.When will it happen?Well, that largely depends on when it happened for you and your husband. The timing of the a. . .

Just what is Colic – and Does My Baby Have It

There are few things more nerve wracking than a crying baby, particularly when nothing you do seems to console him. But, how do you know when your baby’s symptoms have are just crying and when he has colic? And, just what is colic, anyway?No one knows exactly what causes colic, though many old wives tales abound. Lots of older women will tell you that it is caused by parental inexperience, bu. . .

SIDS - Sudden Infant Death Syndrome – What You Need to Know

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is a frightening fear for most mothers. SIDS is often referred to as crib death, and is the sudden death of an infant who stops breathing. It is rare, affecting less than 2 in 1000 infants in the US, but the fear of it plagues all new mothers.Who needs to be worried?SIDS was once thought of as random, striking healthy babies, which made it all the more frig. . .

Siblings – Both Loyal and Rivalous

I remember the day I brought my newborn son home from the hospital. I had prepared my three other children about his new arrival – or I thought I did! I showed him off lovingly to his older brother, who took one look at him and said, “take him back!” I am thankful that this attitude didn’t continue throughout their lifetime, but I do know of many parents who are still not comfortable leaving. . .

Immunizations

Immunizations are a necessary evil of childhood. As a mother, it’s heartbreaking to have your one year old begin to cry as soon as you enter the pediatrician’s building out of fear of a shot, but every time you take him to the doctor, but immunizations are the reason the death rate for infectious disease among babies and young children is so low today. Following are the immunizations your chil. . .

“They Should Have Beat Me More” - The Cycle of Physical A...

In December, 2005, I conducted a two-day workshop with men who had recently been released from prison for domestic violence. With the men were their wives, as well as the father of a batterer who was still in prison.The father, Douglas, sat in front of me, sharing his childhood experiences. “My momma was a very loving woman – a big-hearted, hard working loving woman,” he told me. From my many y. . .

Serious Birth Disorders You Should Be Aware Of

Birth disorders are a subject that none of us wants to think about when we’re pregnant, and in fact, you shouldn’t spend time dwelling on things that will probably never happen. But, in the unlikely event that your child is diagnosed with a birth disorder, you should know where to go for information. Here are some of the more common birth disorders, and some basic information on diagnosis.· A. . .

How to Get Your Baby to Sleep at Naptime

If you baby is not napping well during her first few months of life, you may want to try to cut back on the time she is awake by 15 minute increments. If she is getting overstimulated, then she will fight sleep and be difficult to get to nap. The way to prevent this is to watch her “sleepy” cues to make sure that you put her down when she is beginning to get sleepy. Some parents believe that. . .

Baby Monitors

The first baby monitors were really just a small intercom you hung by your baby’s crib so you would know if they started crying. Advances in design and technology have improved and so have the baby monitors you can purchase.Baby Monitors are used by millions of families every year to help watch over their newborns and older babies. Some now sense movement, sound, and some even have visual monit. . .

Baby Clothes

There are a lot of important things to remember about buying baby clothes for your own baby, but especially if you are buying baby clothes for someone else’s baby. If you want them to keep the baby clothes you buy and use them, put some thought into choosing the baby clothes you buy. Environment-Friendly Baby Clothing is one option many people overlook. There are baby nightgowns, sleepers, an. . .

Self-Esteem and Teens

Ideally, we raise our children from the cradle to have a positive sense of self-esteem. A child that has always had a strong sense of who they are and were they want to go with their life isn't as likely to dabble in drugs, alcohol, and premarital sex. A child who has a safe open dialog with at least one of their parents isn't as likely to keep secrets and start sneaking around during the tee. . .

What Does My New Baby Really Need? A Guide to Shopping fo...

What is it do I really need to buy for my new baby? While writing my latest book found at www.CareForMyBaby.com . I found that this is a question a lot of new moms must ask themselves. Having a new baby is a huge expense, and it is hard to stay on budget when you see all of the cute outfits in the stores. While all of the tiny things are really tempting to buy, please keep in mind that babies g. . .

Baby Safety Tips

Keeping your baby safe is one of the biggest concerns for all parents. There are many things we take for granted, but are hazards to your baby. Your home is not ready for the baby until you do some things to make it safe, especially if they are beginning to crawl or walk. Don’t find out what is dangerous the hard way. Here are some tips to remember. This list is incomplete as each home is diffe. . .

Baby Toys

There are a lot of important things to remember about buying baby toys for your baby. If you are buying toys for someone else’s baby make sure you buy toys that are safe and toys the parents won’t object to.What are some of the best toys for baby? I’m glad you asked. Let’s review some of the best baby toys available out there.Alphabet Blocks are standard equipment of the well-stocked baby toy b. . .

Baby Gifts – A Guide for Men

Buying gifts for babies can be a difficult chore for men, especially for single men. After all, how can a man who has no children know what the best Baby Gifts are? With this article I hope to help men take some of the mystery out of shopping for Baby Gifts. Baby shower gifts can be simple or elegant, traditional or creative and personal. Select with creativity and care. The possibilities are e. . .

How to Teach Your Child Right From Wrong

0 - 1 YEARAt this stage in life, the concepts of right and wrong are notpossible to teach. Rather, an infant who is shown warmth,cuddling and loving attention is likely to grow into a healthyand happy adult.1 - 2 YEARSRather than scolding a child or arguing with him aboutmisbehaver, try to take preventative measures beforehand. Ifyou don't want him pulling things out the cupboards, make surethe. . .

I Want To Do It Myself!

Problem: I have a 2 1/2 year old that is so intent on doing things without help that she will tell me in that strong willed voice, “I do it!” I am finding myself getting into many power struggles with her, especially when I’m in a hurry to get out of the house. Any suggestions for how to make things go smoother during this stage?Remember when you worried that your dependent infant would nev. . .

Living With Pets- Keeping Your Baby Safe

So, up to this point, your dog or cat has been your baby, but now there’s a little human on the way. It is normal and, in fact, wise to be concerned about how the two are going to mix. The chances are very good that everything will work quite well and your pet and your child will be very close buddies, but there are some things you can do to be prepared. First some tips for dogs:Teach your dog . . .

Fostering Healthy Eating Habits In Your Baby

If you’re concerned about your baby’s health, you want to be certain to start healthy eating habits early. The first year of solid foods is a very important time for establishing your child’s eating habits. What your child eats, and more importantly, does not eat, during this time can impact their habits for life. Here are some tips for starting out right with your child’s first menu.Watch the . . .

Toddlers and Self-Esteem

Honestly, self-esteem is not taught to little babies and toddlers. It's an innate sense that drives them to roll over, to crawl, to walk, to begin speaking, and to learn how to get their basic needs met. Children are naturally self-confident. Babies and toddlers don't say, "What if I can't accomplish this goal? Perhaps I should settle for less and just do without that toy. I don't really n. . .

Top 10 Ways To Prevent Obesity In Kids

I’m sure you’ve seen the dire reports about childhood obesity becoming rampant in America. It’s a scary thing and not an experience any of us wish upon our children. Preventing obesity can be easy and empowering for children. Give them control over their bodies. Teach them to tune in to their real needs and to treat themselves with love and respect.1) Allow children to be in charge of which foo. . .

Protect your Allergic Child in School

A severe allergic reaction to milk, peanuts, wheat, shellfish, latex and other types of triggers can keep a youngster from fully enjoying childhood. And that's not right.We know how challenging and frightening it is to send a child with a severe allergy out into the world. A simple birthday party becomes a potentially deadly obstacle course for a child with a severe food allergy or latex alle. . .

Health Tips For Your Baby

There are always concerns about a baby’s health. Many parents overreact to the smallest problem, but you really can’t be too careful when it comes to your baby’s health. Recognizing the symptoms to the most common diseases is very important to early diagnosis and treatment. Rubella or German Measles: It’s sometimes referred to as the 3-day measles as well. It affects the skin and lymph nodes. I. . .

4 Baby Care Tidbits Every Parent Should Know!

New parents face many problems and issues that they are expected to understand and deal with immediately. Unfortunately, newborns do not come with an instruction book so here are a few topics that you may need to know about. Bathing your baby: Until your baby’s umbilical cord falls off one to two weeks after their birth, only give her sponge baths. A cotton ball or cotton swab dampened with alc. . .

What Does My New Baby Really Need? A Guide to Shopping F...

What is it do I really need to buy for my new baby? This is a question a lot of new moms must ask themselves. Having a new baby is a huge expense, and it is hard to stay on budget when you see all of the cute outfits in the stores. While all of the tiny things are really tempting to buy, please keep in mind that babies grow really fast. One of the biggest mistakes that new parents make is over . . .

Your Child's Road to Reading by Richard Flowers AA,BS,MS,CT

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." Dr. SeussAs a first grade teacher, I am often asked by parents about the best way to teach their child to read. I have been teaching for nearly 20 years and I have developed a toolbox of techniques that effectively teaches reading skills to children. I believe the best time to start teac. . .

How Much Do You Really Know About Teaching Your Child Saf...

There has been a huge amount of news recently involving child abductions, parental abductions, and child abuse. From Natalie Holloway in Aruba to Jessica Lundsford in Florida, parents have heard about children who have been kidnapped and murdered. Then there were the stories of parents who keep their children in cages or made them drink bleach to cleanse them of evil spirits.This is very scary . . .

How To Photograph Children

After a wonderful day at the park with your children, you stop at the local one hour photo processor to drop off your film. You choose to do one hour because you are so excited to see how your photos will turn out.An hour later you return with excitement only to find that your children are so small in the image you can hardly make out their faces.Here are some great tips for improving your fami. . .

Imperfect Parenting

Shortly after having my first baby, I decided I was going to be the perfect parent. I immediately began to keep an intelligent library of child-rearing books on my nightstand and would replenish the stock as each book was absorbed into my sub-consciousness and checked off the "read" list. My fixation on perfection was evident. The bookstore clerks began to call me by name. My bank statement. . .

Parenting Resolutions for Character Builders, The Best Th...

Desmond Tutu said, "You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as your are to them." Parents, you can help your gift grow into the best family ever by choosing the three resolutions below. Find out what they are and how to keep them. "Acting is just a way of making a living: the family is life." Denzel Washington. What did Desmond Tutu and Denzel Washington have in common? Could . . .

Baby Names

Okay, you only get to do this once so let’s get it right. Remember that it’s not about you! Your little boy or girl is going to have to live with this name for the rest of their life. If they change it on their 18th birthday, you probably did a bad job of naming your baby.In this article, I’m going to take you on a tour of the Internet as I look for baby names. I’ll be your guide, so sit back a. . .

Why Worry About Your Children

Did you know that worrying is a sin in Gods eyes and God does not give sin a degree of seriousness? We do that as humans. All sin is equal is Gods eyes. I had to learn that before I could let my children go.Now, I know this seems heavy, but I promise it will all make since.Let me start by saying I was the worlds worst when it came to worrying about my children. The more children I had the worse. . .

Healthy Breastfeeding Tips For You And Your Baby

We’ve all heard the debate. Breast Feeding vs Formula. But why do most people say breast feeding is the best for your baby? Because this natural mother’s milk is genetically the best food for your baby. This is the way GOD designed for things to work.Want a more scientific reason? Okay, for one, the complex fats that are abundant in human breastmilk are vital to brain development and may have a. . .

Baby Showers

Planning a Baby Shower is not an easy task! Planning and organizing a baby shower is very complicated. In this article, I’ll try to help you break down the different elements of organizing and planning baby showers.When should I hold my baby shower?A lot of parents these days are waiting until after the baby is born to hold a baby shower. It gives guests the advantage of knowing what type of cl. . .

Starting Your Baby On Solids – What Are The Right Foods

If your baby is ready to start on solid foods, you might be a bit confused as to which foods are best. There are a wide variety of foods that can be good starter foods. Here are some ideas to help you get going.Rice, Mixed Grain or Oat CerealThis is the typical baby cereal that you mix with formula or breast milk. This is a good starter food because it is easily tolerated and you can make it as. . .

Breastfeeding My Baby, Where Do I Start?

Congratulations you have a new baby! Having a new baby is hard enough but when you choose to breastfeed you sometimes feel that you made this experience even harder. Breastfeeding is not as difficult as it looks or as you may have heard from others. It is actually pretty easy and a very fulfilling way to nourish your newborn once you get the hang of it. Remember as with most things practice. . .

Baby Toy Safety

Buying toys for your baby is about more than just what will entertain them. You have to make sure that you buy toys for your baby that are safe. There are a lot of toys out there that are unsafe for babies. This article will explore some of the things you need to look for when buying baby toys.Balloons are a definite no. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns parents and guar. . .

Audio Books - Is Your Child Gaining From These Benefits?

Children's audio books on CD were something I'd always regarded with mild suspicion. After all it's not really reading or is it? As a mother and English teacher, not to mention an avid reader myself, I was fully aware of the importance of reading and had always tried my best to instil in my children and students a love of reading but, I still wondered if I wasn't perhaps missing something and d. . .

My Son’s Deployment

One of the most difficult struggles in life for a parent is the struggle that occurs when the parent is attempting to keep their child safe and the child is attempting to explore the world and find their place in it, often times not in the safest manner.A discussion of Inside Out cannot occur without me sharing some of my own personal struggles with the concept. Today is one of those days. I ju. . .

Today's Baby Names

One of the most exciting things new parents get to do before the arrival of their child is choose the baby's name. Will it be something popular or unusual? A family name or something original? We will explore the top baby names as well as some of the more unique possibilities to help you choose the perfect name.Top Baby NamesIn the 90s, the most popular name for a boy was Michael. For the p. . .

Baby Car Seats

With so many baby car seat models being sold, many new parents feel overwhelmed and stressed out about which one is the best choice. It’s such an important decision! The last thing you’d want is to have your child in a baby car seat that does not provide the maximum amount of protection for your child in the event that you have a car crash.One of the great things about the Internet is that you . . .

A Bad Naming Trend

Ever hear a name you just thought sounded perfect, that you just loved to say over and over again, but then you realized what it meant and couldn’t help but cringe a bit? If you answered no, then a very lucky person. If you answered yes, then you’ve been one of many to notice and experience this new trend in naming. Don’t get sucked in to it. Think wisely before you make a name.There are three . . .

Halloween Fun and Safety

1) Take a flashlight with fresh batteries.A flashlight will help guide the way even if there are streetlights in your neighborhood. Glow sticks are also popular and come in lots of different glowing colors. Or add reflective tape to your child's costume, shoes or flashlight.2) Accept treats at the doorway only.Children should never go inside a house when trick-or-treating.3) Do not to eat any o. . .

Blue Gills, Bass and Scholarships-No Joke

There are two kinds of fishing families and two kinds of families wanting college scholarships. And, there are amazing similarities between them.Weekend fishing families do not spend time researching opportunities. They grab the kids, jump into the car, and race to the nearest bait shop. “Where is a good place to take the kids? Are the fish biting? Thanks! We'll take three dozen worms, please.”. . .

Do You Know Your Parenting Style?

Want to be a better parent? Knowing what your current parenting style is will help you identify your needed areas for improvement. Promoting the self-discipline and self-esteem of the children in your family often requires an emotional juggling act by you as a parent. It is not easy to be firm and demanding with a child one minute, then warm and affectionate the next. This is an ongoing educati. . .

Mommy...Daddy...Why Does The Easter Bunny Bring Us Candy?

When Santa comes to town, the underlying lesson of doing something for someone else, with no expectations of anything in return, is understood. I mean, teaching our children the meaning of Christmas, on a level they can understand, is not always easy. But, most of us know the point we are trying to get across to them. But what about Easter? What are you teaching your children and why?As a paren. . .

Tip! Help Your Child To Want To Play The Piano!

Tip! Help your child to want to play! (the Piano or any musical instrument) Help your child to want to play!Make him the hero and his playing of the song can only save "Winnie the Pooh!"Many parents who start their kids young on the piano will understand how challenging it can be to get them to play the piano (or whatever musical instrument the child has started with) on a regular basis.There a. . .